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McCann homers while DHing in rehab game

Braves catcher will join big league club in Cincinnati on Monday

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By Barrett Sallee
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Special to MLB.com |

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann said on Thursday that he's ready to go and that he was going to use the next three games of his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves to get comfortable before making his 2013 debut with the big league club.

His performance on Friday night against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre confirms that he is, in fact, ready. Serving as the designated hitter, McCann went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a single in Gwinnett's 6-2 loss to the RailRiders in front of 6,869 fans at Coolray Field.

His solo shot came on a 2-0 fastball from Graham Stonebruner in the fourth inning and landed high up the berm in right field. McCann added an infield single to third in the sixth when he fought off an inside fastball from Juan Cedeno.

The recent power outage in the Atlanta Braves' lineup has cooled down the club after April's torrid start. McCann could be the spark that reignites the bats.

In six rehab games between Gwinnett and Class A Rome, he is hitting .364 (8-for-22) with four home runs, nine RBIs and five runs scored. After clearing the hurdle of catching back-to-back games on Thursday, McCann will step back behind the plate on Saturday when the Braves and RailRiders meet at 7:05 p.m. ET.

McCann will DH again on Sunday before joining the Braves in Cincinnati when they kick off their 10-game road trip at Great American Ball Park on Monday against the Reds.

Barrett Sallee is a contributor to MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.